A Matter Archival

A Matter Archival is a Missive (correspondence) between the protagonist and Fatebinder Rhogalus

Transcript
"Fatebinder [Name],

Forgive me the curtness of this rushed missive - the matter is too urgent for the luxury of formalities.

I know that you braved the flaming ruins of the Vellum Citadel.

The Archive - Did you find it? Is it safe?

- Rhogalus"

[Lie] Tell him you destroyed it.
"Fatebinder Rhogulas,

I consigned the knowledge hidden in the Silent Archive to the flame, as per the Overlord's restrictions on Forbidden Knowledge.

Surely you expected nothing less of me.

- Fatebinder [Name]"

Response
"You fool!

The Archive was a repository like no other! It contained the collected scholarship of centuries! It should have been studied and examined by those well-versed in what lore has been restricted and what must be preserved, not burned in whole like so much dung to fuel the morning fire!

You disappoint me, [Name]. You disappoint Terratus, and you disappoint the future.

- Rhogulas"

Tell him you kept it.
"Fatebinder Rhogulas,

Naturally I saved the Archive. Why would I destroy culmination of centuries of Sage learning when it could be turned over to better uses?

It is an impressive artifact. Perhaps one day I will show it you.

- Fatebinder [Name]"

Response
"Dear Fatebinder [Name],

Rarely in my life have I experienced relief to the extent that your missive inspired. No other action you have taken to this point, incredible as many of them have been, has impressed me so thoroughly.

The vagueness of the better uses of which you spoke could concern one with less faith in your judgment. Once this civil war concludes, you and I shall have to study the Archive thoroughly so as to determine what aspects of it can be saved and which must be purged under the law.

- Fatebinder Rhogulas"

[Lie] Tell him you never found it.
"Fatebinder Rhogulas,

I did not find the object of which you speak. Perhaps the Overlord's Edict reduced it to ashes. Or perhaps it never existed at all.

I look forward to speaking when I am again in the Bastard City.

- Fatebinder [Name]"

Response
"Dear Fatebinder [Name],

I must confess to deep disappointment. I beloved that I had accepted the possibility that the Archive had been lost to Kyros' flames, but obviously some hope for its preservation lingered still in my breast. Perhaps you think this scholar possessed a naiveté unbefitting his years, but the Sages were known to be the foremost practitioners of Tharavis' sigil. If they could find a way to protect a prize of such value, they would have.

I suppose Terratus will have to endure this tragedy as it has the many that have come before. You are always welcome in our company.

- Fatebinder Rhogulas"

Ask him for further information.
"Fatebinder Rhogulas,

You seem to possess more than a passing familiarity with the Silent Archive. I thought it was something of a secret.

Perhaps an exchange of information is in order: tell me what you know of it and I can provide you its current whereabouts.

- Fatebinder [Name]"

Response
"Fatebinder [Name],

You have me under Mark's blade. I possess only scraps regarding the Archive, fragments gleaned from oblique references across a dozen of texts. The Sages sought a way to preserve all knowledge they collected, yet have it easily accessible to those they felt worthy of their secrets.

I have found no reliable references to what solution they settled on, but there certainly exists indications that they implemented something. Several documents intercepted over the years, some as recently as the Conquest of the Tiers, make reference to the Sages bearing their discoveries to the Vellum Citadel, as tributes to be paid to the Silent Archive.

The manner in which they wrote of it, I half expect you to tell me the Archive is a living person, some Sage volunteer kept alive - or else in a state very life like - through the guild's arts of preservation and healing, their mind forcefully filled to its borders with every stroke of ink set to parchment, compelled through sigils of domination to reveal what they know to those bearing secret signs.

I enter the realm of speculation, I fear, for we have exhausted what little evidence I have. Keep me in suspense no longer, [Name]! What became of the Archive?

- Fatebinder Rhogulas" ""